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Public Information Statement

National Weather Service San Juan PR

901 AM AST Tue May 7 2024



...NWS Damage Survey for 05/01/2024 Arecibo Tornado Event...



On May 2, 2024, a significant weather event unfolded as a waterspout 

made landfall, impacting the Cambalache sector within the 

Municipality of Arecibo. The inclement weather in this region was 

spurred by a mid to upper-level trough shifting from west to east 

along Puerto Rico's northern coast. Doppler radar scans revealed 

several velocity couplets at an altitude of 6000 feet, indicating 

the potential for turbulent weather conditions.



At approximately 4:58 PM on May 2, 2024, a waterspout initially 

formed over the local Atlantic waters and proceeded to track 

ESEward, making landfall over Albacoa Beach in Arecibo. As the 

waterspout transitioned into a weak tornado, it encountered an 

expanse of mangrove trees, resulting in the downing of numerous 

small to medium-sized branches along its path. Additionally, the 

tornado's winds affected street signs and canopy tents, which were 

blown away by the force of the storm.



The impact of the severe thunderstorm that resulted in this short-

lived tornado extended beyond the immediate vicinity of the 

tornado's path, with reports of straight-line wind damage emerging 

in other areas where the severe thunderstorm affected.



.Arecibo Cambalache's Tornado...



Rating:                 EF-0

Estimated Peak Wind:    75 mph

Path Length /statute/:  0.48 miles

Path Width /maximum/:   4 yards

Fatalities:             0

Injuries:               0



Start Date:             05/02/2024

Start Time:             458 PM AST

Start Location:         Albacoa Beach, Arecibo

Start Lat/Lon:          18.472N/ 66.707W



End Date:               05/02/2024

End Time:               507 PM AST

End Location:           0.14 miles NNE of PR-2 KM 73.7

End Lat/Lon:            18.468N/ 66.702W



Survey Summary: Along the path of the tornado, a few large trees 

were snapped, accompanied by numerous fallen small to medium-sized 

branches. Additionally, the tornado's winds affected street signs 

and canopy tents, which were blown away by the force of the storm.   





&&



EF Scale: The Enhanced Fujita Scale classifies tornadoes into the following

categories:



EF0.....65 to 85 mph

EF1.....86 to 110 mph

EF2.....111 to 135 mph

EF3.....136 to 165 mph

EF4.....166 to 200 mph

EF5.....>200 mph



NOTE:

The information in this statement is preliminary and subject to change

pending final review of the event and publication in NWS Storm Data.



$$